Colonial badge
The colonial badge , colloquially called Order of the Elephant, designed by Karl Möbius , was on 18 April 1922 by the Reich Ministry for Reconstruction donated and was only on request to colonial German and foreigners awarded, who, during the First World War to the former German colonies (protected areas ) deserved. After the ministry was dissolved in 1924, the award was given by the Foreign Office until December 31, 1935 and by the Reich Chancellor from 1936 to 1945 , but only in a few cases.
Award
Since the (new) creation of medals and decorations was forbidden under the Weimar Constitution , the colonial badge did not have the status of an order or badge of honor, but was considered a commemorative badge. From 1922 to 1945, around 8,500 awards were made. The colonial badge is a silver-colored badge with a width of 32 mm and a height of approx. 40 mm (including the bow) and weighs approx. 30 grams. On its front it shows a raised embossed African elephant running on a grass floor. Behind it is a palm tree. The lower part of the container is surrounded by a wreath of oak leaves . On the adjoining circlet is written in capital letters : SÜDSEE * AFRIKA * KIAUTSCHOU . The award was worn as a pin badge next to the Iron Cross 1st Class on the left side of the chest.
literature
- Hans-Ulrich Krantz: Orders and decorations of the Federal Republic of Germany , Maximilian-Verlag Cologne / Herford 1958.
Individual evidence
- ↑ Information from the Military History Museum in Dresden from the head of the Department for Phaleristics , Numismatics and Varia Rainer Kunz